MCU’s Silver Surfer: Original Star Calls It ‘Gorgeous’!

Thescreescore – Veteran actor Doug Jones, renowned for his physically demanding and nuanced portrayal of the Silver Surfer in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, has offered a glowing endorsement of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s bold reimagining of the cosmic herald in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Jones, who famously brought Norrin Radd to life physically while Laurence Fishburne lent his voice, expressed profound admiration for Julia Garner’s turn as Shalla-Bal, the MCU’s female iteration of the iconic character.

In a recent interview with ComicBookMovie.com, Jones articulated an overwhelmingly positive reaction to Garner’s performance. He described her work as "gorgeous," applauding the creative decision to delve into the comic book archives for Shalla-Bal. While Norrin Radd remains the more widely recognized version of the Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal originates from an alternate universe storyline, providing a legitimate, albeit less prominent, source for the character. Jones commended Garner’s "bravery" in stepping into a role that, despite its comic book roots, might initially challenge fan expectations accustomed to Radd’s established presence. He lauded her ability to navigate this with "great poise and great courage."

The core essence of the Silver Surfer’s narrative remains consistent across both cinematic interpretations. Whether Norrin Radd in the 2007 film or Shalla-Bal in the 2025 MCU entry, both characters serve as Galactus’ heralds, making the ultimate sacrifice to save their home worlds from the Devourer of Worlds. Their climactic choices in their respective films mirror each other’s profound selflessness. A notable distinction, however, lies in their human connections: Norrin Radd forged a bond with Jessica Alba’s Sue Storm in the 2007 adaptation, while Shalla-Bal’s journey in The Fantastic Four: First Steps sees her develop a significant connection with Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm.

This critical and audience acclaim for The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks a significant turning point for Marvel’s First Family on the big screen. The film boasts an impressive 86% "Certified Fresh" critics’ score and a "Verified Hot" 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This stands in stark contrast to previous cinematic attempts, including Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) with its 38% critics’ score, Fantastic Four (2005) at 28%, and the much-maligned Fantastic Four (2015) which languished at a mere 9%. The MCU’s latest installment, directed by Matt Shakman and running 115 minutes, has clearly resonated with both critics and viewers, signaling a triumphant new era for the team.

The positive reception extends beyond Jones, with other veterans of past Fantastic Four films also celebrating the MCU’s fresh take. Ioan Gruffudd, who portrayed Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic in the 2005 and 2007 movies, reviewed First Steps with fervent praise. He declared the characters "alive and well and in safe hands," hailing the film as "A superb homage to the original comics from the sixties. Acting, production & costume design, score and visual effects are out of this world!"

Beyond its standalone merits, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is pivotal for the overarching narrative of the MCU, laying crucial groundwork for Phase 6 and beyond, including the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. The film confirms the involvement of its stellar cast – Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm – in Doomsday. Furthermore, the iconic adversary Doctor Doom, now embodied by Robert Downey Jr., is set to menace the team, promising an epic confrontation that will undoubtedly shape the future of the thescreescore.com cinematic universe.